Semirigid frame plates for materials handling door with flexible curtain

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a materials handling door ( 1 ) for industrial premises comprising opposite vertical posts ( 2,3 ), a flexible curtain ( 5 ), horizontal stiffening crossbeams ( 7 ), driving means ( 4 ) for rapidly displacing the flexible curtain ( 5 ) between a closing position and an opening position, while each opposite post ( 2,3 ) comprises semirigid frame plates ( 9, 10 ) which are mounted facing each other to constitute on each post a guide track ( 11 ), said plates comprising at least a vertical wall ( 12 ) which is designed to be elastically deformed and return to its original position without being damaged, under the pressure of an external force, said vertical wall ( 12 ) of each plate ( 9, 10 ) comprising an extension ( 22 ) inclined towards the outside of said plates ( 9, 10 ) so that the guide track ( 11 ) has in its upper part a flared conical portion profile, said extension ( 22 ) of each vertical wall ( 12 ) having a certain elastic flexibility to be able to move laterally relative to said wall ( 12 ) and the post ( 2, 3 ).

[0001] The present invention relates to a guide mechanism of a materials handling door for industrial premises, comprising a flexible curtain, horizontal stiffening crossbars and driving means allowing rapid displacement of the flexible curtain between a closing position and an opening position.

[0002] According to French patent application no. 97 05305 in the name of the applicant, a guide mechanism is already known, which, on each opposite vertical post of the materials handling door, is constituted by straps arranged facing each other to form guide tracks for the flexible curtain and for the horizontal stiffening crossbars.

[0003] The straps are each stretched and fixed between two extreme points joined together with the corresponding post such that each strap, under the pressure of an external force, can undergo an elastic deformation and return to its original position without damage.

[0004] The object of the guide mechanism and of the materials handling door according to the present invention is to improve upon the strap-type guide mechanism by using semirigid frame plates realized in a plastics material.

[0005] The guide mechanism according to the present invention is intended for materials handling doors for industrial premises, comprising opposite vertical posts, a flexible curtain, horizontal stiffening crossbars and driving means allowing rapid displacement of the flexible curtain between a closing position and an opening position, whilst each opposite post comprises semirigid frame plates which are fixed in a mutually facing arrangement so as to constitute on each post a guide track, said frame plates comprising at least one vertical wall which is capable of undergoing an elastic deformation and of returning to its original position without damage, under the pressure of an external force, said vertical wall of each frame plate comprising an extension which is inclined toward the outside of said frame plates in order that the guide track has, in its upper part, a frustoconically flared profile, said extension of each vertical wall having a certain elastic flexibility in order to be able to deflect laterally relative to said wall and to the post.

[0006] The guide mechanism according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having a first vertical wall connected by a veil to a second vertical wall.

[0007] The guide mechanism according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having walls disposed in a vertical plane perpendicular to that containing the supporting face of the vertical post of the door.

[0008] The guide mechanism according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having a wall of curved or inclined profile relative to the veil and to the supporting face of the post such as to constitute a flared-profile guide track.

[0009] The guide mechanism according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having, on the outside of the profile section and over the full height of the walls, lips disposed respectively at the level of the junction between said walls and the veil to ensure sealing tightness between said frame plates and the supporting face of the post of the door.

[0010] The guide mechanism according to the present invention comprises lips applied to the profile of the frame plates by coextrusion in a plastics material different from that of said frame plates.

[0011] The guide mechanism according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having a first vertical wall which is greater in width than the second vertical wall.

[0012] The guide mechanism according to the present invention comprises an extension situated above the last point of attachment of each frame plate to the supporting face of each post.

[0013] The materials handling door for industrial premises according to the present invention comprises opposite vertical posts, a flexible curtain, horizontal stiffening crossbars, driving means allowing rapid displacement of the flexible curtain between a closing position and an opening position, semirigid frame plates which are fixed in mutually facing arrangement so as to constitute on each post a guide track for the flexible curtain and for the horizontal crossbars, said frame plates comprising at least one vertical wall which is capable of undergoing an elastic deformation and of returning to its original position without damage, under the pressure of an external force, said vertical wall of each frame plate comprising an extension which is inclined toward the outside of said frame plates in order that the guide track has, in its upper part, a frustoconically flared profile, said extension of each vertical wall having a certain elastic flexibility in order to be able to deflect laterally relative to said wall and to the post.

[0014] The materials handling door for industrial premises according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having a first vertical wall connected by a veil to a second vertical wall.

[0015] The materials handling door for industrial premises according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having walls disposed in a vertical plane perpendicular to that containing the veil and the supporting face of the vertical post of the door.

[0016] The materials handling door for industrial premises according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having a wall with a curved or inclined profile relative to the veil and to the supporting face of the post such as to constitute a flared-profile guide track.

[0017] The materials handling door for industrial premises according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having, on the outside of the profile section and over the full height of the walls, lips disposed respectively at the level of the junction between said walls and the veil to ensure sealing tightness between said frame plates and the supporting face of the post of the door.

[0018] The materials handling door for industrial premises according to the present invention comprises a frame plate having a first vertical wall which is greater in width than the second vertical wall.

[0019] The materials handling door for industrial premises according to the present invention comprises lips applied to the profile of the frame plates by coextrusion in a plastics material different from that of said frame plates.

[0020] The materials handling door for industrial premises according to the present invention comprises an extension situated above the last point of attachment of each frame plate to the supporting face of each post.

[0021] The following description with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, will allow a better understanding of the invention, its characteristics and the advantages which it is likely to bring:

[0022]FIG. 1 is a front view showing a door with flexible winding curtain, provided with a guide mechanism according to the present invention.

[0023]FIGS. 2a and 2 b are perspective views illustrating the semirigid frame plates of the guide mechanism according to the present invention.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing in detail the flared profile of the upper part of each semirigid frame plate of the guide mechanism according to the invention.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a view representing the elastic deformation, under an external force, of a semirigid frame plate of the guide mechanism according to the present invention.

[0026] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a materials handling door 1 comprising two lateral posts 2 and 3, which are generally fixed to the vertical walls of an opening to be blocked. The opposite vertical posts 2 and 3 are mutually connected in the upper part of the door 1 by a winding drum 4 for a flexible curtain 5.

[0027] It can be seen that the flexible curtain 5 comprises sheaths 6 in which reinforcing horizontal crossbars 7 are introduced, the ends of which cooperate with a guide mechanism 8 provided on each post 2 and 3.

[0028] Thus, the posts 2 and 3 are joined together with a guide mechanism 8 allowing the flexible curtain 5 to move between a closing position and an opening position. Each guide mechanism 8 comprises two semirigid frame plates 9 and 10, arranged facing each other so as to constitute on each post 2 and 3, and over the full height of the latter, a track 11 for the guidance of the curtain 5 and of the horizontal crossbars 7.

[0029] For the sake of clarity and understanding, only the guide mechanism 8 provided on the post 2 will be described, given that the other guide mechanism arranged on the post 3 is identical.

[0030]FIGS. 2a and 2 b show the frame plates 9, 10 of the guide mechanism 8, which are provided on the post 2 and are realized in a L-shaped or U-shaped profile, comprising elastic properties sufficient to be able to curve or deform when an external force is applied either to the flexible curtain 5 or to said guide mechanism 8.

[0031] Each frame plate 9, 10 has a first vertical wall 12, connected to a second vertical wall 13 by a veil 14 disposed in a plane substantially perpendicular to said walls.

[0032] The vertical wall 12 of each frame plate 9, 10 can be disposed in a plane perpendicular to the veil 14 and to the supporting face 19 of the vertical post 2 of the door 1, though this is not essential.

[0033] By way of a variant, the vertical wall 12 of each frame plate 9, 10 can have a curved or inclined profile relative to the veil 14 and to the supporting face 19 of the vertical post 2.

[0034] The vertical wall 12 of each frame plate 9, 10 of curved or inclined profile is directed toward the vertical wall 13 so as to define with the wall 12 of the other frame plate a track 11 of flared profile over its full height.

[0035] Thus, the vertical wall 12 of each frame plate 9, 10 is previously curved or inclined, at the time of its manufacture, in a direction identical to that of its possible deformation when an external force is applied either to the flexible curtain 5 or to the guide mechanism 8.

[0036] The wall 13 is disposed in a vertical plane perpendicular to that containing the supporting face 19 of the vertical post 2 of the door 1.

[0037] The frame plates 9 and 10 have on the outside of the profile section, and over the full height of the walls 12 and 13, lips 20 and 21, disposed at the level of the junction between said walls and the veil 14.

[0038] The lips 21 and 21 ensure imperviousness to dusts between the frame plates 9, 10 and the supporting face 19 of the post 2 of the door 1. The lips 20 and 21 can be applied to the profile of the frame plates 9, 10 by coextrusion in a plastics material different from that of said frame plates, which is more flexible and which ensures better sealing tightness between said frame plates and the supporting face 19 of the post 2.

[0039] The frame plates 9 and 10 are held on the post 2 in such a way that each vertical wall 12 is placed in a mutually facing arrangement so as to constitute the guide track 11, whilst each veil 14 rests against the supporting face 19 of said post.

[0040] It can be seen that the wall 12 of each frame plate 9, 10 has, relative to the veil 14, a greater width than that of the vertical wall 13, allowing better guidance of the flexible curtain 5 and of the crossbars 7 at times of displacements.

[0041] Each frame plate 9 and 10 is held in its upper section on the post 2 by a fixing axle 15, which is constituted by a bolt 16 passing through the veil 14 and the supporting face of said post, and a nut 17 cooperating with the threaded part of the bolt.

[0042] Opposite the axle 15, the lower parts of the frame plates 9 and 10 are kept at a distance apart by another fixing axle 18 identical to the axle 15 and held joined together with the post 2.

[0043] It can be seen that the number of axles for fixing the frame plates 9 and 10 to the post 2 can vary as a function of the height of said posts and the rigidity of the connection to be obtained.

[0044]FIG. 3 shows the upper part of the frame plates 9, 10, joined together with the vertical post 2, each wall 12 of which frame plates has an extension 22 which is inclined relative to said wall toward the outside of each frame plate.

[0045] The extension 22 is obtained at the time of manufacture of each frame plate 9, 10 such that the guide track 11, when said frame plates are fixed in a mutually facing arrangement to the post 2 in its upper part, has a frustoconically flared profile.

[0046] Thus, each extension 22 is inclined toward the outside of each frame plate 9, 10 relative to the corresponding wall 12 so as to facilitated the reintroduction of the flexible curtain 5 inside the guide track 11 after having been taken down.

[0047] Each extension 22 has a certain elastic flexibility so as to be able to deflect laterally relative to the wall 12 and to the post 2 so that the flexible curtain 5 can be introduced from the outside toward the inside of the track 11.

[0048] It can be seen that the greater the length of the extension 22, that is to say the more the extension 22 extends above the wall 12, the more its flexibility is increased and the easier it becomes to reintroduce the horizontal stiffening crossbars 7 and the flexible curtain 5 inside the guide track 11.

[0049] The extensions 22 of each wall 12 are situated above the last upper fixing axle 15, so that each frame plate 9, 10 can be held against the supporting face 19 of the post 2 of the door 1.

[0050] It is apparent that the veil 14 has an inclined face 23, the highest part of which is located at the level of the connecting line between the extension 22 and the wall 12.

[0051] Thus, the height of the wall 13, connecting to the level of the lowest part of the inclined face 23 of the veil 14, is less then that of the wall 12, facilitating the arrival of elements for guiding the flexible curtain 5 against the extension 22 when these are located outside the track 11.

[0052] Moreover, the inclined face 23 prevents any tearing and damaging of the guide elements for the flexible curtain 5 when it is reintroduced into the guide track 11.

[0053]FIG. 4 illustrates, for example, the elastic deformation of the vertical wall 12 relative to the veil 14 joined together with the post 2 of the frame plate 9 when an external pressure force is applied to the flexible curtain 5.

[0054] It can be seen that only the vertical wall 12, which is straight, curved or inclined relative to the veil 14 and over the full height of the frame plate 9, undergoes an elastic deformation, which is directed in a direction similar to that of the external pressure force.

[0055] The elastic deformation of the wall 12, which wall is straight, curved or inclined relative to the veil 14, is generally directed toward the outside of the track 11 so that the horizontal stiffening crossbars 7 and the flexible curtain 5 can be taken down.

[0056] When the wall 12 has a curved or inclined profile relative to the veil 14, the elastic deformation is directed in the extension of the curved or inclined profile so as to facilitated the expulsion of the horizontal stiffening crossbars 7 and the flexible curtain 5 from the track 11.

[0057] It is evident that the material used for each frame plate 9 and 10 allows the wall 12 to undergo an elastic deformation under the pressure of an external force and to return to its original position without damage.

[0058] In fact, the elastic deformation of the frame plates 9 and 10 in the event of a jamming of the flexible curtain 5 or a lateral shock, for example, allows the horizontal stiffening crossbars 7 to be taken down without risk of damage thereto and to said frame plates.

[0059] In all cases, the wall 12 of each frame plate 9, 10 must be capable of deforming and of achieving a deflection of determined value without suffering plastic deformation. It will be easily understood that the value of the deflection is given as a function of the mechanical properties of the material and of the profile of the frame plate 9, 10.

[0060] It will also be apparent that the material used for the frame plates 9 and 10 prevents the formation and adherence of ice when the materials handling doors are used to isolate rooms whose internal temperatures are different.

[0061] For example, the material used for the manufacture of the frame plates 9 and 10 belongs to the polyethylenes family.

[0062] It is evident that the distance between the frame plates 9 and 10 arranged facing each other on each post 2, 3 can vary in order to present a guide track 11 of greater or lesser width.

[0063] It can be seen that when the distance between the frame plates 9 and 10 is large, the horizontal stiffening crossbars 7 and the flexible curtain 5, upon application of an external force, are easy to take down from the track 11.

[0064] Conversely, the smaller the distance exhibited by the track 11 between its frame plates 9 and 10, the more difficult it becomes to expel the horizontal stiffening crossbars 7 and the flexible curtain 5 with the application of an external force.

[0065] It must be understood, moreover, that the preceding description has only been presented by way of example and which in no way limits the scope of the invention, which would not be transgressed if the described execution details were replaced by any other equivalent. 

1. A guide mechanism of a materials handling door (1) for industrial premises, comprising opposite vertical posts (2, 3), a flexible curtain (5), horizontal stiffening crossbars (7) and driving means (4) allowing rapid displacement of the flexible curtain (5) between a closing position and an opening position, whilst each opposite post (2, 3) comprises semirigid frame plates (9, 10) which are fixed in a mutually facing arrangement so as to constitute on each post a guide track (11), said frame plates comprising at least one vertical wall (12) which is capable of undergoing an elastic deformation and of returning to its original position without damage, under the pressure of an external force, characterized in that the vertical wall (12) of each frame plate (9, 10) comprises an extension (22) which is inclined toward the outside of said frame plates (9, 10) in order that the guide track (11) has, in its upper part, a frustoconically flared profile, said extension (22) of each vertical wall (12) having a certain elastic flexibility in order to be able to deflect laterally relative to said wall (12) and to the post (2, 3).
 2. The guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that each frame plate (9, 10) has a first vertical wall (12) connected by a veil (14) to a second vertical wall (13).
 3. The guide mechanism as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each frame plate (9, 10) has walls (12, 13) disposed in a vertical plane perpendicular to that containing the supporting face (19) of the vertical post (2, 3) of the door (1).
 4. The guide mechanism as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each frame plate (9, 10) has a wall (12) of curved or inclined profile relative to the veil (14) and to the supporting face (19) of the post (2, 3) such as to constitute a flared-profile guide track (11).
 5. The guide mechanism as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each frame plate (9, 10) has, on the outside of the profile section and over the full height of the walls (12, 13), lips (20, 21) disposed respectively at the level of the junction between said walls and the veil (14) to ensure sealing tightness between said frame plates (9, 10) and the supporting face (19) of the post (2, 3) of the door (1).
 6. The guide mechanism as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the lips (20, 21) are applied to the profile of the frame plates (9, 10) by coextrusion in a plastics material different from that of said frame plates.
 7. The guide mechanism as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that each frame plate (9, 10) has a first vertical wall (12) which is greater in width than the second vertical wall (13).
 8. The guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the extension (22) of each wall (12) is situated above the last point of attachment of each frame plate (9, 10) to the supporting face (19) of each post (2, 3).
 9. The guide mechanism as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the more the extension (22) extends above the corresponding wall (12), the more the flexibility of lateral deflection is increased. 